Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
Des Moines, IA
🏆 Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories
Dallas
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,985 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
Des Moines
Iowa
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,378
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Dallas, TX
Pros
6% less violent crime than Des Moines
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 31°F
More college-educated — 36.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Des Moines
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Homes cost $100k less ($170,700 vs $270,700)
Rent averages $310/mo less ($995 vs $1,305)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Dallas
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 97°F
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Median Income
$1,607
$63,985 vs $62,378/yr
Dallas
Violent Crime
6% lower
658.2 vs 703.0 per 100k
Dallas
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 5.9% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
11.3°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°F vs 85.6°F
Des Moines
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Des Moines
Median Home Value
$100k less
$170,700 vs $270,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 | $170,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 ✓ Higher | $62,378 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 185⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% ✓ Higher | 28.7% |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 87.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | Des Moines Independent Comm School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer | 30.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 36.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" ✓ Less | 36.5" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 213,164 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 60.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Des Moines's 92.7 (US average = 100).
Des Moines is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories. Dallas wins 12 and Des Moines wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Dallas to Des Moines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $170,700 median home), income ($63,985 vs $62,378), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and Des Moines, IA are about 631 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.